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Plainfield council advances Center of Excellence plan with 419‑space parking deck and $500,000 developer shuttle
Summary
City officials approved adding Center of Excellence items to the voting agenda after hearing that residential units were reduced to 219 and that a 419‑space, sustainable parking deck will include 60 EV stalls and a $500,000 developer-funded shuttle to serve downtown and train stations.
The Plainfield City Council on May 12 heard details of the Center of Excellence development, including a revised residential count and plans for a 419‑space parking deck and a developer-funded demonstration shuttle.
Economic Development Director presented that the residential component was reduced from 250 units to 219 to align parking with demand. He described the parking deck as a 419‑space structure with about 100 spaces set aside for city employees and visitors, roughly 210 spaces for residents (including the residential affordable component) and 100 spaces for commercial or community use; a total of 60 electric‑vehicle charging stalls will be included. “The parking deck is going to be a sustainable deck. It is going for platinum LEED certification. It will have live green walls. It will have solar panels,” the director said.
The developer has pledged a $500,000 community‑benefit package, the director said, which will fund a demonstration shuttle program. The shuttle is intended as a free circulator for Plainfield residents, serving downtown, nearby train stations, medical offices and shopping areas during construction and operation. The director said some shuttle vehicles will be used for employee access to off‑site lots while construction takes place. He described the shuttle as a temporary, developer‑hired service for the demonstration phase and said the city will provide input on operations. “Because this will be a free shuttle for Plainfield residents, we will have some kind of identification,” he added when asked about residency checks.
Council members pressed city staff on several points: accessibility for disabled riders, the number and location of accessible parking spaces and whether the solar renewable energy credits from the parking deck’s panels would benefit the community. The director said accessible spaces required by state law will be located under the residential building close to elevators and that the city will work with the developer to ensure those spaces are available to residents. On solar credits, staff said they would need to investigate whether credits could be applied beyond charging the deck’s battery and the EV stalls.
Councilors also raised procurement goals and public engagement. The director pointed to a set‑aside ordinance already in contract language requiring good‑faith efforts to include minority, women, veteran and disabled‑owned businesses and a “local source first” preference. He said community engagement had occurred during earlier phases and that some shuttle and parking logistics are intended to mitigate impacts while construction proceeds.
The council agreed to add the Center of Excellence items to the voting meeting for later consideration; the meeting record shows those items will be voted on separately.
